Apparatus for compacting feathers into tubes.



No. 640,719. Patented lan. 2, |900.

A C. T. THOMPSON. APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FEATHERS INTO TUBES.

(Application med Nov. 3, 189B.)

5 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Models) INVENTOR:

No. 640,79. Patented 1an. 2, |900.

C. T. THOMPSON.

APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FEATHERS INT0 TUBES.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1898.) (no Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 2.

WITNESSES: i l d I Y INVENTOR.

L. A Mw A hm. au@

TH: Nonms PETERS co. Ho-rauwe.. wAsrnNmoN. n. c.

No. 640,719. Patented 1an. 2, |900. 0.1. THoMPsoN.

APPARATUS FIl'i` CUMPACTING FEATHEBS INTO TUBES.

(Application led Nov. 3, 1898.)

5 Sheeis'fShQet 3.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

C. T. THOMPSON. APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING'FEATHERS INTO TUBES.

(Application led Nov. 3, 1898.)

Patented 1an. 2, |900.l

5 Sheets-Sheet l4.

No. 640,7!9. Patented lan. 2, |900.

C. T. THOMPSUN.

APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FEATHERS INTO TUBES.

(Application led Nov. 3, 1898.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

UNTTED STATES PATENT Fries.

CHARLES T. THOMPSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FEATHERS INTOITUBEVS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,719, dated January 2, IQO. Application filed November 3, 1898. Serial No. 695,361. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. THOMPSON, of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Apparatus for Compacting Feathers in Tubes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an apparatus which I use for the purpose of compacting feathers in tubes, so as to convert the tube into an elastic cushion suitable for use as or in connection with bicycle or other elastic vehicle=tires- For this purpose the tube to be packed may be either a rubber tube, such as I have shown and described in Letters Patent No. 556,247, granted to me under date of August 19, 1896, or it may be a tube of any suitable fabric, such as canvas, which, in turn, may, if desired, be used Within a surrounding rubber tube, such as is used for bicycles. My invenf tion, however, may be used for the compacting of feathersor other similar articles Within In order to procushion-tubes of any sort. duce such a cushion-tube, it is necessary to compact the feathers or other similar contents within them with considerable force and also with perfect evenness, so that the contents may be a homogeneous and equally resilient mass. This my invention accomplishes.

I will describe my invention as used for the purpose of compacting feathers into a canvas tube, it being understood that tubes of other material may be used and that the contents of the tube may be some other similar substance.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 3 represent, respectively, a plan view and a longitudinal elevation of a simple form-of machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in vertical longitudinal section, of the parts to the right in Figs. l and 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively side and end elevations of a machine slightlyvarying in type from the last machine, the righthand end Vof the machine only being shown, there being no changes in the other parts. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the actuating mechanism of a compound machine embodying my invention. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the operating mechanism of the same machine. Figs. 8, 9, and l0 are cross-sections of Fig. 7 at the points respectively indicated therein by lines 8 8, 9 9, 10 10. Fig. l1 is an enlarged view of the clamp used to aiiiX the tube which is to be packed upon the machines which have been illustrated. Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of the cartridge and surrounding parts employed in the machine, showing the head of the plunger about to enter the cartridge.

I Will noW describe the simpler hand-actuated embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

a a are standards bolted to a base a2, Which support between them tivo parallel rods b, constitutingalongitudinalslideway. Acrosshead o runs in this slideway.

d d' are a second pair of standards bolted to the base a2, between which is carried at one side a longitudinal supporting-piece e, in which is journaled a shaft f', carrying a bevel-Wheelf. This bevel-Wheel is actuated by a crank and handle, as shown, or in any other convenient Way. A bevel-pinion g, which engages the bevel-wheel f, is j ournaled in the standard d. It is provided with a female thread which receives Within itself the long screw-threaded plunger h. vThis plunger is guided at its rear end by the cross-head c, While in front of the bevel-pinion g it passes through and is guided by a sleeve which bushes a hole in the standard d. The thread on the plunger stops some distance from the free end, so that it presents a smooth surface at that end.

Infront of the parts Which have been described and farther to the right in Figs. 1 and 2 is a third pair of standards j j', which are seen more clearly in the enlarged View, Fig. 3.

Concentric With the axis of the plunger h a circular hole is provided in the standard j, in which is mounted the tube k2, provided at one end with the flange 7o', by Which it is rigidly attached to the standard j. The mouth of the tube k2 is flared in order to more readily permit the introduction of the cartridge 7c. The other end of the tube k2, which is also open, rests Within a seat Z, attached to the standard j. The cartridge 7a consists of a tube of proper length open at both ends.

IOO

tridge 7.a is filled and placed in its seat.

revolving the bevel-Wheel f the pinion g, with The interior diameter of the tube 7.52 is such as to permit of the free manual introduction and retraction of the cartridge 7n, the inside diameter of which is such as to permit of the free motion of the plunger lz therethrough.

The interior of the seat Z is bored out beyond the end of the tube k2, so as to register with the head of the plunger h, and is prolonged in front of the standard j' in the form of a long metal tube m, upon which is mounted a sliding split sleeve n.. The end of the canvas tube o which is to be filled is slipped over the end of the metal tube m and of the split sleeve n and is retained in place upon the latter by the clamp jp. The details of this clamp are seen in Fig. 1l. It consists of two halves g q, hinged together at s, having their interior surfaces bored to a circle of such diameter as to clamp the canvas tube to the sleeve n. The two halves q q are united and pressed together with any desired tension by means of the thumb-nut fr working upon the screw r', which is pivoted to one of the sides g, as at r2. The other side q is slotted to permit the passage of the screw r' therethrough.

In Figs. l, 2, and 3 the tube o, as well as the metal tube m, is broken olf, buttheir forms will be understood from Fig. 7, where similar tubes O are shown covering the projecting ends of metal tubes M. The ends of the tubes O are closed, and the portions extending beyond the metal tubes are shown as already filled.

The operation of the device is as follows: The tube o has its open extremity pulled over the tube fm and sliding sleeve n, upon which itis firmly clamped by the clam p p. The carthe female thread,revolves, and the plunger h, which is thereby driven forward through the cartridge k and tube m, drivin g the contents of the cartridge down to the extreme end of the tube o. The plunger h is then withdrawn by reversing the direction, of the motion of the bevel-gear, and a new cartridge similarly charged is inserted iu place of the empty cartridge which has been withdrawn and the forward stroke of the plunger repeated. As the contents of the successive cartridges are packed at the end of the tube o the strain occasioned by the traverse of the plunger toits extreme limit of forward motion causes the tube o to pull on the split sleeve n, which then slips forward the proper amount on the tube m, so that as the tube I0 is charged it gradually slips off the'tube m.

It is evident that the tightness of the packing of the tube o will be dependent upon the friction (adjustable in amount) which the clamp p induces between the split sleeve u and the tube m.

Under certain circumstances I have found that itis necessary that the attendant should vary the tightness with which the tube ois clamped upon the metal tube m as the operation of packing proceeds in order to produce when the tube o is drawn over the metal tube for its entire length, as is the case at the beginniug of the operation, there is added to the friction of the clamp the very considerable resistance of the friction between these two tubes for their entire length. As the operation proceeds this element of resistance to the impact of the plunger decreases as the one tube slides off the other, so that unless the pressure of the clamp is varied the front end of the tube o is more tightly packed than the rest of the tube. To avoid the necessity of regulating this by hand, I may em ploy the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the similarly-lettered parts represent parts corresponding substantially to Figs. l and 2. In this forni the sleeve n is the saine as the sleeve n, except that it is not split so as to be capable of exerting pressure upon the tube m. Instead it is made considerably stouter, so as to be capable of resisting to some extent the pressure imposed upon it by the clamp instead of communicating it to the interior tube. This sleeve n carries upon its left-hand end a transverse bar fu. To the two ends of this bar are attached cords w, which, passing around the pulleys man', as shown,wind around drums .932, fast upon a trans-verse shaft x3, which I have shown mounted beneath the machine. A third drum y' upon this shaft w3 has Wound around it in the reverse direction a cord fg, which passes down through the central aperture of a series of loading-plates .e e e2 es, a still larger plate e4 beingfast to the end of the cord. The loadingfplates are graduated in diaine ter, the largest being at the top, and they rest at intervals from each other within a frame having successive shoulders, as seen in Fig. Il, so that the upward movement of the bot tom weight e4 collects the loading-plates in succession. It will therefore be seen that at the commencement of the operation of filling a tube the only resistance to the thrust of the plunger, in addition to the friction between the tubes, is that of the weight e4, which by its downward pull on the cord y' tends to wind the cord w around the drum :u2 against the thrust of the plunger. As the filling of the tube proceeds the weight :Z4 is gradually raised, lifting successively the loading-plates e3, z2, z, and z, the additional load being so calculated as to counterbalance the decrease in friction between the tubes, resulting in the even compactiug of the feathers throughout the operation.

I will now describe a more complex embodiment 0f my invention as it is shown in Figs. 6 to l2, inclusive. The shaft A carries a set of fixed and idle pulleys, also a spur-wheel F, which drives a pinion G, rigidly mounted upon the screw threaded shaft D. The threaded portion of this shaft revolves in a female thread provided in the cross-head C, which is guided by the rods B B. An enlarged front View of this cross-head is seen in Fig. 8, showing in cross-section the central IOO threaded shaft D, the four guide-rods B, and the four plungers H, which are attached to this cross-head and project in front of it.

In Fig. 9 will be seen a-front view of the' upright support which carries the front ends of the rods B and the journal of the shaft D.

Through this support pass the plungers I-I,

being guided thereby.

Immediately in front of the parts just described are the upright standards J J The standard J (see Fig. l0) has four circular holes, each one concentric with the axis of one of the four plungers. Each aperture is iitted with a sleeve L, (see Fig. 12,) which forms the seat of a metal cartridge K, the mouth of which is iiared in order to more readily receive the head of the plunger H, which is slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the cartridge K, which is open at both ends. From the other end of the sleeve L a long metal tube M, registering with the cartridge, projects forwardly, supported additionally by the standard J. For each of the four plungers there are four corresponding metal tubes and cartridge-seats.

Held over the projecting ends of the four metal tubes by the clamps P are the tubes O, which are to be packed, the arrangement being similar to that previously described, except that the tubes O are here clamped directly upon the metal tubes without the interposition of any split sleeve.

In order to effect the reciprocation of the plungers, any automatic reversing device may be provided. I have shown IiXed and idle pulleys in Fig. 6 to produce this effect, by which the shaft D is caused to alternately revolve in different directions, giving to the cross-head C a delinite reciprocating stroke.

The operation of the device just described is similar in all respects to that rst described, except that four tubes (which may be of the same or different diameters) are packed at once.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In an apparatus for compacting tubes with feathers, the combination of a reciprocating plunger of uniform stroke; a series of cartridges open at both ends and corresponding in internal diameter with the head of the plunger; a metal tube many times the length of one of the cartridges and similarly corresponding in diameter with the head of the plunger; means whereby said metal tube is held within the path of the reciprocation of the plunger; means whereby the cartridges may be successively placed and temporarily held in front of and in registration with the end of the metal tube which receives the plunger; and means whereby the open end of a flexible tube, the other end of which is closed, is permitted to slide resistingly o the metal tube as it receives the contents of the successive cartridges under the impact of the trnlies of the plunger, substantially as set plunger; means whereby said metal tube is held within the path of the reciprocation of the plunger; means whereby the cartridges may be successively placed and temporarily held in front of and in registration with the end of the metal tube which receives the plunger; a clamp whereby the open end of aflexible tube is clamped around the outside of the metal tube; and means for regulating at will the pressure of said clamp, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for compacting tubes with feathers, the combination of Aa reciprocating plunger of uniform stroke; a series of cartridges open at both ends and corresponding in internal diameter with the head of the plunger; a metal tube many times the length of one of the cartridges, and similarly corresponding in diameter with the head of the plunger; means whereby said metal tube is held within the path of the reciprocation of the plunger; means whereby the cartridges may be successively placed and temporarily held in front of and in registration with the end of the metal tube which receives the plunger; a sleeve running on said metal tube; means for aftixing the open end of a flexible tube to said sleeve; and means, such as a weight and cord, whereby the advance of the sleeve over the metal tube is resisted, substantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus for compacting tubes with feathers, the combination of a reciprocating plunger of uniform stroke; a series of cartridges open at both ends and corresponding in internal diameter with the head of the plunger; a metal tube many times the length of one of the cartridges, and similarly corresponding in diameter with the head of the plunger; means whereby said metal tube is held within the path of the reciprocation of the plunger; means whereby the cartridges may be successively placed and temporarily held in front of and in registration with the end of the metal tube which receives the plunger; a sleeve running on said metal tube; means for affixing the open end of a iiexible tube to said sleeve; a cord or cords affixed to said sleeve and winding at the other end around a drum; and a reversed cord on the same drum, the free end of which carries a weight, substantially as set forth.

5. In an apparatus for compacting tubes with feathers, the combination of a reciprocating plunger of uniform stroke; a series of cartridges open at both ends and corresponding in internal diameter with the head of the plunger; a metal tube many times the length of one of the cartridges, and similarly corre- IOO IIO

IIS

spending in diameter with the head of the around a drum; areversed cord on the same plunger; means whereby said metal tube is drum, the free end of which carries a weight; held within the path of the reeiproeation of and a series of loading-plates through which the plunger; means whereby the cartridges the reversed cord passes which rest at spaeed 15 5 may be successively placed and temporarily intervals and are successively taken up by l held in front of and in registration with the l the upward motion of the weight as the sleeve end of the metal tube which receives the reeedes, substantially as set forth. 3

plunger; 'a sleeve running on said metal tube; CHARLES T. THOMPSON. means for axing the open end of a exible Witnesses: 1.o tube t0 said sleeve; a cord or cords affixed toy JAMES H. BELL,

said sleeve and Winding at the other end FRANK DUMPHREY. 

